mediate
MEE-dee-ayt
/ˈmiː.di.eɪt/
To intervene between people in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation.
Mediation is a voluntary process where a neutral third party helps others reach their own agreement; the mediator does not impose a decision.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'mediatus', from 'medius' (middle). A mediator is quite literally the person who stands in the middle of two opposing sides to bridge the gap.
Word relationships
- arbitrate: To mediate is to help parties reach their own agreement; to arbitrate is to listen to both sides and then make a binding decision for them.
- instigate: Instigate means to provoke or start a conflict, whereas mediate aims to end one.
Commonly confused with
- meditate: Meditate is a mental exercise for relaxation or focus; mediate is a social intervention to solve a problem.
Word family
- mediation (noun): The act of mediating a dispute.
- mediator (noun): A person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement.
Collocations
- mediate a dispute
- mediate a settlement
- mediate between parties
Example sentences
- "The United Nations was called upon to mediate the border dispute between the two neighboring countries." International Relations
- "A professional was hired to mediate the conflict between the department head and the union representative." Workplace
Memory hook
The 'mediator' stands in the 'medium' (middle) of the fight. The man in the middle.
When not to use
Do not confuse with 'meditate' (to think deeply).
Fun facts
- In biology, a 'mediator' is a substance or structure that transmits an effect or carries out a process.
Related words
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